Philadelphia Eagles: Schiano holds Reid in high regard

Denver Broncos head coach John Fox greets Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Greg Schiano at the end of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012, in Denver. Denver won 31-23 and clinched the AFC West division. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

It’s Greg Schiano, head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers by way of Rutgers University.

Their friendship goes far beyond football. When Schiano coached the Scarlet Knights, Reid made trips to New Brunswick, N.J., to encourage Eric LeGrand, the Scarlet Knights defensive tackle paralyzed from the neck down covering a kickoff against Army at the Meadowlands.

Schiano alluded to the unconditional bond with Reid during a conference call Wednesday.

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“Coach Reid is a special, special person,” Schiano said. “He did some things with our football team. I know the way Andy is. He doesn’t like it mentioned and I’m going to keep it private. But that would be my biggest impression of the organization is the quality of the man, the coach and what he was willing to do.”

Schiano wasn’t the first choice of Bucs owner Malcolm Glazer. The job initially was offered to Chip Kelly, the University of Oregon coach supposedly atop the list of candidates should the Eagles move on from Reid.

“I know Chip but I’ve never talked to him about this job,” Schiano said. “I knew that it was going that way when I was involved in it. And quite frankly I wanted the job so I wasn’t happy. But then when the thing changed a couple of hours later I was more happy.”

The Bucs are 6-6 and in the running for a playoff spot.

You would think the Eagles would take Schiano’s transition from college into account if they go in another direction at head coach.

“I don’t think there’s any formula,” Schiano said. “Make sure that’s what you want, first. I love it. But it’s not for everybody. And then make sure you have your ducks in a row as far as how you’re going to do things because you don’t have a lot of time. This is a very results-based business. It’s trickled down to college. But I think the NFL is probably the most results-based.”

Jenkins knows the NFL is the ultimate bottom-line business. He also knows emotion is part of the game, and that’s how Washburn tried to get the best out of his players.

“Wash is a good coach,” Jenkins said. “He really had us motivated and has us playing hard. So I gave him a call and spoke with him. It’s obviously not the situation that he wanted. But Wash is a strong person. He’ll be alright. You know his personality. He’s just a fiery person. If you really know him he’s a good-hearted person. He speaks highly of all the coaches whenever he talked to us. So we never sensed anything personal.”

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NOTES: Held out of practice Wednesday were quarterback Michael Vick (concussion), running back LeSean McCoy (concussion), safety Kurt Coleman (chest, sternum) and defensive tackle Fletcher Cox (tailbone). Limited were running back Chris Polk (turf toe) and cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (knee). If Coleman can’t play, Colt Anderson would start at safety. … While Reid wouldn’t rule McCoy out for the rest of the season, he said the Pro Bowl back still is having concussion symptoms. … Trent Edwards showed up to work only to see a chunk of paper with ‘Tebow’ covering the name plate at his locker. The backup quarterback knew who did it. “I wrote ‘Papale’ on a piece of tape and put it on Colt Anderson’s locker, just as a joke,” Edwards said. “You know, Vince Papale. I always give Colt a hard time. He’s my friend. So he tried to get me back by putting ‘Tebow’ on my locker.” And the joke would be? “I don’t know,” Edwards said. “Maybe I should take this down.”